Mozambique warns of low pressure that could develop into a tropical storm

The National Institute of Meteorology (Inam) of Mozambique warned this Saturday of the possibility of the low atmospheric pressure that formed near Madagascar developing into a tropical storm in the coming days.

In the warning, Inam states that a “low pressure system” has formed northeast of the island, in the southwestern Indian Ocean basin, with “the potential to develop to moderate tropical storm stage” on January 23, “near the east.” coast of Madagascar.

“However, it still does not pose a threat to the Mozambique Channel or our mainland,” the warning said, the second of its kind in the past week.

Inam adds that it is monitoring the development of this system and tropical cyclones, and “encourages the public to continue to monitor meteorological information and warnings issued by the competent national authorities.”

Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi called in late September to prepare populations and actors for the predictable effects of an El Niño event in the country in the coming months, predicting above-normal rainfall and outbreaks. drought.

“History repeats itself. Therefore, we must create conditions for sustainability. In this sense, the government will issue regular warnings to keep the population informed and prepared for weather conditions that may be unfavorable to life, production or infrastructure,” the minister said. head of state.

Filipe Nyusi warned that forecasts indicate that the country will once again “experience the El Niño phenomenon”, which “could bring normal rains with a tendency to be above normal in the center and north of the country, as well as normal rains with a tendency to be below normal. which may lead to some drought outbreaks in the southern region.”

“This requires us all to be careful and ready to confront this challenge caused by climate change. Let’s get organized. I urge you to conserve and conserve water for consumption and for our livestock,” he further warned.

“This is the appeal I make to the entire country. Therefore, let us be careful and follow those directions to mitigate the impact, avoid or minimize damage and losses, including human lives, on the one hand, on the other, which we exercise adequate management and responsibility for water, especially during periods of water shortage.” , he added in the same message.

Mozambique is considered one of the countries worst hit by climate change in the world, experiencing cyclical floods and tropical cyclones during the rainy season, which runs from October to April.

The 2018/2019 rainy season was one of the harshest in Mozambique’s history, with 714 people killed, including 648 victims of Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, two of the largest to ever hit the country.

According to official government data, in the first quarter of last year, heavy rains and the passage of Cyclone Freddy caused the death of 306 people, affected more than 1.3 million people in the country, and destroyed 236 thousand houses and 3,200 classrooms.